Twitch streamer DarkViperAU's tweet about react streamers and "content consent" leaves netizens divided

Twitch streamer DarkViperAU seems to have made a comparison between react streaming meta and sexual abusers. In a tweet, he said that react streamers have stolen millions from other content creators and halted the careers of others.

This social media post was also accompanied by a Google document, in which the Twitch streamer wrote the following:

"All reactors are bad people. They exploit others to benefit no one but themselves. Collectively they have stolen millions of dollars from actual creators and have stopped countless thousands from having a career."

The Twitch streamer's tweet (Image via x.com/DarkViperAU)

---

When Twitch streamers began reacting to others' content

The react meta on Twitch has led to heated debates on fair use. DarkViperAU claimed that the react meta is a way for people to rip off other content creators. According to DarkViperAU, react streamers "exploit" others, use their content, push them down, and end the careers of some.

He tweeted:

"People who live their lives exploiting others, their labour or careers, in their own lust for money and power are the very sort of people who would sexually abuse someone. A reactor's career is specifically about ignoring consent and only respecting people when profit is at risk."

DarkViperAU's tweet (Image via x.com/DarkViperAU)

In a follow-up tweet on the thread, DarkViperAU said that his comments were hyperbole, but "only slightly":

"It is hyperbole, but only slightly so. The difference between actively ignoring consent for financial gain is not so far removed from ignoring consent for sexual gratification; it is abuse of another for a selfish purpose."

DarkViperAU's tweet (Image via x.com/DarkViperAU)

In his script, the streamer advised people to "cover their glass" if they meet a react streamer at a party. He elaborated:

“If you meet a reactor at a party, I suggest covering your glass or outright tell them you don't want them to f**k you, because they seem keen to take a person's silence for consent.”

The perception that reaction-based content does not involve much effort and that it also does nothing for the original content creators is certainly not uncommon. For many users, the problem arose when the Twitch streamer seemed to compare the reaction streams to assault.

---

The internet left divided by DarkViperAU’s discussion on the react meta

The Twitch streamer's tweet has garnered attention from hundreds of netizens. One Reddit user suggested that DarkViper was wrong because when someone posts something to the internet, that person gives consent for the media to be commented on.

That way, according to the Redditor, it’s not exploitation.

Others found it offensive and insulting to survivors of sexual assault.

One Twitter user seemed confused because they thought DarkViper’s content itself was react content.

There were quite a few users who thought it was not a good take by the Twitch streamer, and that the two things were nothing alike.

A few users on Reddit figured this was not a good opinion to make public.

Then there were people who felt react meta should be compared to theft, instead of sexual assault.

Some, however, supported DarkViper’s statement and are looking forward to his content on the topic.

Another commenter agreed with the statement, but pointed out that it wasn’t too long ago that people playing games online added was but a reaction.

One Redditor felt the streamer was merely upset that he couldn't benefit from the react meta.

The Twitch streamer’s topic on the react meta has certainly led to plenty of discussion on the topic of reaction streams. And while many are of the opinion that Twitch streamer's argument was based on an incorrect comparison, it's likely that we haven't heard the last from DarkViperAU about this.